Justin Trudeau’s brother vanished in 1998 avalanche

In 1998, tragedy struck the Trudeau family when Michel Trudeau, the youngest son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, passed away in a devastating avalanche. The 23-year-old disappeared while skiing with friends in British Columbia's Kokanee Glacier Park. His friends survived, but Michel was swept away in the avalanche. Despite extensive search efforts, his body was never recovered, leading to a lifetime of haunting memories for the family.

On November 13, 1998, Michel went skiing with friends in Kokanee Glacier Park. The avalanche separated him from his group, and despite the best efforts of search teams, his body was never found. A memorial service was held in Quebec just a week after his death, as the Trudeau family grappled with their profound loss.

Michel was the youngest of Pierre and Margaret Trudeau's three sons. His older brothers were Justin, born in 1971, and Alexandre, born in 1973. The search for Michel's body continued for nearly a year, with divers reaching a depth of only 30 meters, while the lake's deepest point reached 91 meters.

After the unsuccessful search, the Trudeau family erected a chalet nearby as a memorial to Michel. They believed that he was destined to remain at Kokanee Lake. Years later, Justin Trudeau reflected on his brother's death in his 2014 memoir, Common Ground, recalling how his father Pierre was deeply affected by the tragedy.